Patrice and I met James R.C. and Daraka Cook (plus granddaughter, Finn) in Prague in 15-19 October. They have been my friends since 1970-71, when Jim and I flew with the 553 Recce Wing at Khorat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. I am counting on my fingers, but has it really been 55 years?
After Thailand, we were rarely stationed or lived close, but often visited one another around the world — Berlin, Madrid, Dover, San Francisco, Austin, Texas, Gleason, Wisconsin, Baltimore, MD, Washington, D.C., and this October 2026 in Prague (and perhaps other places I don’t recall).
A note about the pleasures of grandchildren: Children can make their parents’ lives miserable, while grandchildren make having children worth it (assuming you survive your children). Dara and Jim’s granddaughter, Finn, is the cat’s meow. They flew to Prague to visit Finn, a student and aspiring film director. She is simply adorable (and displayed infinate patience).